Liverpool manager Roy Hodgson has swatted aside fresh speculation about Javier Mascherano by insisting the “day does not seem to be imminent” when he leaves. Mascherano, 26, has told his new boss of his desire to leave the club and has been linked with Inter and Barcelona. After reports in Argentina emerged last night claiming that Barca have agreed a deal for the Argentine, Hodgson went on the defensive in front of the media this afternoon.

Speaking at his pre-match press conference ahead of Sunday’s match against Arsenal, he said the arrival of Christian Poulsen does not mean Mascherano is about to be sold: “At the moment Javier Mascherano has shown no signs of going.

“It’s not a question of ‘are you going to replace Mascherano?’ I believe Javier will play for us and Christian Poulsen will play for us”I’m happy to have both players. This is a big club with a lot of games to play this year.”Hodgson added: “We talk about football and he’s made no indication further to the meeting when I came here that he would like to leave.

“He’s been getting on with his work and training properly.”As far as I’m concerned, he is a Liverpool player and will be until the day someone signs him and that does not seem to be imminent.”